Dallas, TX Crashworthiness Attorney

Knowledgeable Crashworthiness Lawyer Investigating Preventable Occupant Injuries in Dallas, Texas

Cars need to be reasonably able to withstand the force of a collision to protect the driver and passengers inside. In a vast majority of cases, car manufacturers are able to meet that expectation. However, when a vehicle defect causes unnecessary injuries, occupants of the vehicle deserve fair compensation.

Our Dallas, Texas crashworthiness lawyer can help injury victims seek payment for their losses. At the Law Office of J. Gregory Marks, we have decades of legal experience, and we have secured meaningful compensation in the form of verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients. If a vehicle manufacturer caused you real harm, we will pursue compensation for all of your losses.

What Does Crashworthiness Mean?

Crashworthiness refers to how well a vehicle protects its occupants during a wreck. A crashworthy vehicle is one that absorbs and manages the forces of a collision in a way that minimizes injury to the people inside. This includes the structural integrity of the cabin, the performance of safety systems like airbags and seatbelts, the design of the roof and door panels, and the behavior of the vehicle during a rollover or side impact.

While manufacturers cannot always prevent a wreck from happening, they can design vehicles that give occupants a reasonable chance of surviving one. When a vehicle fails to meet that standard, injuries that could have been minor become severe, and injuries that could have been survivable become fatal. In general, a crashworthiness claim focuses on whether the vehicle made the outcome worse than it should have been.

Liability in Crashworthiness Cases

Establishing liability in a crashworthiness case requires showing that a defect in the vehicle's design or construction enhanced the injuries suffered in the wreck. This is sometimes called the enhanced injury theory. The at-fault driver who caused the initial collision and the manufacturer whose defective vehicle made the injuries worse can both be held responsible, each for their respective share of the harm caused.

Common defects that give rise to crashworthiness claims include roof crush failures in rollover wrecks, seatbelt systems that allow too much slack or fail to lock on impact, door latches that give way during a collision, and fuel systems that ignite after a wreck. Airbag systems that fail to deploy or deploy incorrectly are also a frequent basis for these claims. Separating the injuries caused by the initial wreck from those caused by the vehicle's failure is a complex analysis that typically requires expert testimony from engineers and medical professionals.

Automakers, parts manufacturers, and component suppliers can all face liability depending on where the defect originated. If the defect was known and a recall was issued late or inadequately communicated, that history can strengthen the claim further.

How Much Compensation Can You Get From a Crashworthiness Claim in Dallas?

The value of a crashworthiness claim depends on the severity of the enhanced injuries and the full extent of the losses they caused. Because these cases often involve catastrophic outcomes, the damages can be significant.

Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and long-term treatment, are typically the largest component. Lost wages and reduced earning capacity are recoverable when the injuries affect a person's ability to work.

Non-economic damages including pain and suffering, physical impairment, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life can also form a substantial part of the claim. When a manufacturer's conduct reflects a knowing disregard for occupant safety, punitive damages may be available as well. In fatal crashworthiness cases, surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim for the losses they have suffered as a result.

Meet With a Dallas, Texas Crashworthiness Lawyer

At the Law Office of J. Gregory Marks, we are prepared to seek payment from the manufacturers and suppliers responsible for putting an unsafe vehicle on the road. Contact our Dallas, TX crashworthiness attorney or call 214-427-4417 to schedule your free consultation today.